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Best Tent Camping near St. Bonaventure, NY

405 Reviews

The forested regions surrounding St. Bonaventure, New York offer several tent camping options within a short drive. Allegany State Park in Salamanca provides established tent campsites with amenities like drinking water, showers, and picnic tables. Firefly Acres, located approximately 20 miles east of St. Bonaventure, features three walk-in tent sites with fire rings and allows pets. For those seeking more primitive tent camping experiences, Forestry Road Dispersed Campsite in nearby Pennsylvania offers free backcountry tent camping with established fire rings but no facilities.

Tent sites throughout the region vary considerably in surface conditions and amenities. Patterson State Park Campground features small, open tent campsites arranged around a gravel loop with basic facilities including a manual water pump and rustic toilets. Most primitive tent campsites in the Allegheny National Forest area require campers to pack in their own water and supplies. Frequent rainfall in the region makes waterproof gear essential for tent campers, particularly in spring and fall. Black bears are present in several areas, requiring proper food storage in all tent camping locations. The camping season generally runs from May through October, with some sites accessible year-round for winter tent camping.

Tent-only areas provide distinct advantages for campers seeking natural experiences. According to reviews, Patterson State Park offers good stargazing opportunities from tent sites, though trees may partially obstruct views. One camper noted that "at any given time you may have the whole park to yourself," making it ideal for families with children. Forestry Road Dispersed Campsite provides tent campers with access to hiking trails, including a 2-mile path to Hector Falls with interesting rock formations. Visitors to these primitive tent sites recommend bringing tick and bug spray, as several campers reported finding ticks after hiking. The Streamside Eriegrove campground includes walk-in tent sites with toilets and picnic tables but no drinking water, offering a middle ground between developed campgrounds and backcountry tent camping.

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Best Tent Sites Near St. Bonaventure, New York (16)

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Recent Tent Camping Photos near St. Bonaventure, NY

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Tent Camping Reviews near St. Bonaventure, NY

405 Reviews of 16 St. Bonaventure Campgrounds

  • Jennifer K.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 14, 2022

    Hearts Content Recreation Area

    Great quiet little campground

    Very nice quiet small wooded campground. No hookups, about 3-4 fresh water spigots, 1 dump station and dumpster. Water pressure was very low and took a while to fill tank. 26 various sized sites, some large with plenty of space for our 22 foot tow behind and truck + some for extra vehicles. Other smaller sites for tents or vans. Self serve ice $2 wood $10. Vault toilets. Fire rings and picnic table at each site. AT&T spotty 0-1 bars. Host camper. Quiet time 10pm-6am. 1 Xlarge site for groups.

  • Bill G.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 18, 2020

    Hearts Content Recreation Area

    Simple and serene

    Hearts Content is best described as a way station. The sites are nestled within a grove of immense pines. Some are large enough for large RV’s . There are no showers. Bathrooms are vault toilets. Two of the sites include Adirondack type shelters. A picnic table and fire ring are within each site. I used this site as a staging area to explore Allegheny National Forest for a week. Used a camp shower. The closest town is Warren, PA. Firewood is available at the camp host site. Across the road is an hiking area with picnic tables and the like.

  • Bill G.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 26, 2020

    Willow Bay Recreation Area

    Quiet nights, Easy days

    Willow bay campground is run by the National Forest Service. The reservable lots are wide and numerous for a out of the way sight. The campground services tent sites, RV sites as well as small cabins with electricity. There is a central bathhouse near the oak loop. Closer to the boat ramp sites- most of which are tent ready, there are vault toilets. These sites are less than a mile from the North Country Trail. Other, smaller trails are here as well. The New York State lone is less than five miles away- providing access to Allegheny State Park. The closest town of note is Bradford, which is about 18 miles away. It has all you need to get your necessities. The cabins were small- one twin bed and a set of single bunks. You need to bring your own sheets. There is a small heater imbedded in the wall. It keeps things from getting too cold, as it was when I was there. Fire ring and picnic table provided. Charcoal grill as well. The only problem I had was with the wildlife. A mouse or something kep crawling in the space between the roof and ceiling. There is no cel service here, and you shouldn’t need it either. Places to visit are too numerous to mention, but I will give a shout out to the zippo case museum, absolutely a must.

  • Mary S.
    Sep. 24, 2018

    Quaker Area — Allegany State Park State Park

    This is a great vacation area.....spend a week!

    Did you know this is NY's largest state campground? We stopped here on a rainy night, but what we saw convinced me we need to return. I know this campground is a vacation destination for families in western NY.

    Cain Hollow is in the Quaker Run area which includes Quaker Lake. There is another campground in the Red House Area, and there are also lots of cabins. This is definitely a 4 seasons park - hiking, biking, swimming, fishing, snowmobiling, cross country skiing....

    I was able to take photos of a few sites the next morning. You can see that sites are private and you're definitely in the woods. There are food storage boxes at all campsites because you're in bear country.

  • Danielle S.
    Apr. 16, 2019

    Minister Creek Campground

    Small, rustic, gorgeous

    We stayed here July 2018 and found a quiet campsite by the creek. It had been quite rainy and some of the sites were wet and muddy, but for $12, I couldn't complain. While there is an outhouse, it is simply a couple of toilets (bring a lantern or wear a headlamp). Arrive early to get a prime spot, and take advantage of the hiking trails (a bug net for your head will help in the summer as the gnats and deer flies are distracting). Looking forward to staying again.

  • Bill G.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 10, 2018

    Hearts Content Recreation Area

    Minimal offering for maximum relaxing

    This campground is within Allegheny National Forest near the town of Warren and Tidouette. The sites are few but spacious. Good for car camping, though I’m sure a smaller RVcould get by. Each site has a fire ring. Two sites have Adirondack type shelters. The night sky is promising but light pollution from Warren inhibits a truly awesome night sky. There is a vault toilet. No showers. No water either. Bring what you need! The closest town is about 30 minutes away. Lots of critter life. My dogs loved it here. We spent all days exploring the nearby trails and creeks. Price was cheap. No frills but a quiet respite for sure.

  • D
    Oct. 21, 2021

    Kelly Pines Campground

    Off the grid, lots to explore!

    This equestrian campground also has 2 non-equestrian sites, one which is reservable. There is no potable water but there is a river and a non-potable pump. There is a permanent toilet usually stocked with TP. Carry out all garbage. No electrical hookups.

    Traditional camp sites have space for multiple tents and 2 cars. Each has a picnic table and a fire pit with moveable cooking surface. We’ve never had an issue with bears or other wildlife where food and trash are concerned but we store in the cars at night to be safe. The area is usually damp so don’t count in being able to find much dry wood - we stop before driving in for wood.

    Trails galore! Mushrooms everywhere! Quiet and no cellular to distract.

  • Travis S.
    Jun. 30, 2020

    Dewdrop

    Spacious

    Campsite layouts are non traditional with large driveways and often times the tables and fire rings are below the driveway.  With this layout you get more privacy with very few sites having and overlapping with other sites. Pitching a tent was easy on the driveway and fairly level. Some sites had large high sided fire rings which take away from the fireside relaxation of a shorter camp chair. 

    Bathrooms and shower house was below the standards of many of PA State Parks which we regard as the benchmark for campgrounds at reasonable prices. 

    Boating and biking all accessible from the grounds. No need to drive to the trails at Jakes Rocks.

  • D
    Aug. 21, 2023

    Minister Creek Campground

    Beautiful, peaceful

    Established campground on north side has six sites with picnic tables and fire rings and costs $12/night. You can park and camp for free across the street but I’m not sure you’d want to sleep in your car/camper in the parking lot. There are a number of sites on the side of the road within 2-3 miles in either direction if you want to sleep in your van etc. I parked on the free side and set up a tent about 100 yards in. Lots of beautiful sites on the creek. I walked to the paid side for water and vault toilet. Arrived on a Friday in August and had no trouble grabbing a prime site.

    Absolutely no cell signal. Drive about 7-10 miles in either direction to pick up a signal. Or hike to the Outlook for a very faint signal. Warren, PA is a really nice little town about 30 minutes drive and I went there for a meal and a brewery visit

Guide to St. Bonaventure

Tent camping near St. Bonaventure, New York, offers a fantastic opportunity to immerse yourself in nature while enjoying a variety of amenities and activities. With several well-reviewed campgrounds in the area, you'll find the perfect spot to set up your tent and unwind.

Tips for tent camping near St. Bonaventure

  • At Allegany Parallel Bova Loops, you'll find easy access to water and bathrooms with showers, making your stay comfortable.
  • Be cautious about food storage; bears are known to frequent the area, so securing your food is essential.
  • Consider visiting during the off-peak season to enjoy a quieter experience and better availability at campgrounds.

Local attractions and activities

  • The nearby Firefly Acres offers trails for hiking and mountain biking, perfect for outdoor enthusiasts looking to explore the beautiful landscape.
  • Don't miss the chance to hike the Hemlock Hollow and Conservation Trails at Allegany Parallel Bova Loops, which provide stunning views and a chance to connect with nature.
  • For family-friendly fun, Breezy Point Campground features activities like biking and hiking, ensuring everyone has something to enjoy.

Some prices for tent camping range from $0 to $30

  • Camping at Streamside Eriegrove is budget-friendly, with options that allow you to enjoy nature without breaking the bank.
  • Riverside Park Campground offers affordable rates and a peaceful setting, ideal for those looking to escape the hustle and bustle.
  • If you're seeking a rustic experience, Forestry Road Dispersed Campsite provides free camping options, perfect for those who enjoy a more primitive style of camping.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular tent campsite near St. Bonaventure, NY?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near St. Bonaventure, NY is Bova Cottages — Allegany State Park with a 5-star rating from 4 reviews.

What is the best site to find tent camping near St. Bonaventure, NY?

TheDyrt.com has all 16 tent camping locations near St. Bonaventure, NY, with real photos and reviews from campers.

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